Blood Moon tonight

I’m normally a night owl, but I do try to be in bed by midnight most nights. Tonight, however, our family is staying awake at least a little longer to try to see the blood moon, estimated to begin from 12:53 a.m. EDT to 6 a.m. EDT.

The “blood moon” lunar eclipse is when the Earth spins between the sun and the moon. During this lunar eclipse, the shadow of the Earth catches the refracted sunlight, casting a reddish sheen upon the moon. (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/tech/innovation/blood-moon/index.html)

Interestingly, and some believe significantly, it’s one of the first of four consecutive total eclipses of the moon between April 2014 and September 2015 in what scientists call a lunar eclipse “tetrad” series and all fall on Jewish feast days. (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/tech/innovation/blood-moon/index.html)

The next total lunar eclipse will occur on Oct. 8 and is also expected to be visible from much of North America. (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/tech/innovation/blood-moon/index.html)

The Bible gives prophecies about the blood moon, such as in Acts 2:19:

“And I will show wonders in Heaven above and signs in the Earth beneath, the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

When I was growing up, I observed a solar eclipse when it turned completely dark in the middle of the daytime. I remember standing outside with my family, and my parents yelling at us 4 kids, “Don’t stare directly at the sun! You’ll go blind!” I also remember how eery it was when the sky became black in the middle of the daytime. It didn’t last long, but was such a strange and memorable event.

When I was a child, I had a dream of the moon becoming blood red. In the dream I was staring up into the sky at it. I was scared looking at it, knowing it was the end of the world.

Although Jesus said no one knows the hour of His return (Mark 13:32), He said we will know His coming is near by signs in the heavens. (Acts 17:11). He told them the signs ahead of time and told them to watch and pray for His coming. (Matthew 24:4-6).

I believe His coming is very near. Are you ready? Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior?